- Nearly 50% of the country is currently facing drought with at least 16% falling in the “exceptional” or “extreme” category, according to IIT Gandhinagar scientists managing India’s real time drought prediction system.
- This ongoing drought will pose a lot of challenges in water availability this summer
- About 47% of the country is facing drought — with 16% facing extreme, or exceptional category of drought — which we show from our real time monitoring system that we have developed for the country.
- Arunachal Pradesh did not get good rain this year, and parts of Jharkhand, southern Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and northern part of Tamil Nadu are under drought.
- If these areas experience very hot summer before the onset of monsoon, it could lead to a crisis.
- Continuing drought will further burden the already depleting groundwater resources of the country.
- If our groundwater is not recharged and managed sustainably, we could face a very difficult situation in the coming years.
- You can reduce groundwater by selecting appropriate crops.
- If we already have depleted groundwater we should not grow water-intensive crops.
- For example, Punjab should not be growing rice.
- The government needs to take some tough decisions as far as groundwater, and water conservation is concerned.
- Conserving water in urban homes is just a drop in the bucket compared to steps that can be taken in the agriculture sector.
- Of course, conservation should be encouraged at every level, but the elephant in the room is agriculture.
- 80% of our total fresh water is used in agriculture sites, rather than residential sites.
Home Current Affairs Environment Nearly 50% of India currently facing drought: IIT Gandhinagar scientists